NET WORTH: Unknown
SOURCE OF WEALTH: BDT Capital Partners
FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth, Health, Arts & Culture, Chicago Community
OVERVIEW: Byron and Tina Trott conduct their philanthropy through the Trott Family Foundation, which was established in the 1990s. According to available tax filings, the foundation disbursed around $7 million in grants between 2017 and 2018. The Trotts steadily support their alma maters University of Chicago and Ohio State University, as well as other schools in Illinois and the Midwest. Other interests include health, and arts and culture.
BACKGROUND: Byron D. Trott graduated with a bachelor's in economics from University of Chicago's Booth School of Business and an MBA from the same school in 1982. Trott started his career at Goldman Sach's security sales desk in 1982 and later made partner. He founded BDT Capital Partners in 2009.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION & YOUTH: The Trotts recently gave a $10 million gift to University of Chicago to help support and expand the UChicago Careers in Business Program, which was renamed the Trott Business Program. Trott helped launch the program last decade and the family has steadily supported the school through the years. The Trotts have also supported Tina's alma mater Ohio State University, often with grants for athletics. Other grantees have included Vanderbilt University, Music Institute of Chicago, North Shore Country Day School, Northwestern University, and Teach for America. Trott is c the Horatio Alger Association, where Trott serves on the executive committee and was honored with the 2011 Horatio Alger Award. The couple also endowed the association with the Trott Family Scholarship for high school seniors planning to attend Ohio State University.
HEALTH: The Trotts have supported groups like Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Lurie Children’s Hospital Foundation, Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation, and Northwestern Medical Foundation.
ARTS & CULTURE: Grantees have included Art Institute of Chicago (where Tina has done volunteer work), Omaha Zoo Foundation, Sundance Institute, Chicago Zoological Society, Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, Joffrey Ballet, and Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
CHICAGO COMMUNITY: The couple is based in the Chicago area, and support select institutions in their community. Others include Chicago Foundation for Women and Michigan Avenue Streetscape Association.
LOOKING FORWARD: Trott is still very much engaged in business. Expect the family to stick with their select interest areas for now.
CONTACT:
The Trott Family Foundation does not provide a clear avenue of contact but below is address and phone:
The Trott Family Foundation
P.O. Box 3016, RALLC Tax Dept.
Chicago, IL 60654
Telephone: 312-609-1100